by Russell Stubbs
How does ME/CFS start?
There are numerous ways of developing Fatigue conditions, including Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) along with Fibromyalgia (FM). Some common causes include - viruses, bacterial infections, operations, vaccinations, etc. The cause can also be connected to a stressful incident or period in a person’s life. The common factor is that the person’s system is under stress.
What is happening when we are under stress?
As a result of entering this state we produce a cocktail of chemicals - including cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenalin. This powerful group of chemicals is also produced during the fight or flight response - this is the natural process that is triggered in reaction to a threat - either real or perceived.
Physiological changes take place during fight or flight
The sympathetic branch of the nervous system is responsible for a number of changes. Blood pressure and heart rate increase in order to bring additional fuel to the major muscles groups. Thyroid and blood sugar levels are affected. Functions that aren’t essential including digestion and immune system are shut down to allow increased energy for emergency systems.
Where’s the connection between the stress response and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
The initial virus, bug, trauma, vaccination etc. has already under put the system under stress. If there were other stressors present or the person was run-down at the time, the recovery period could be prolonged. If the recovery is slow this can be a cause for concern, which results in more stress. The immune system, which is already challenged, becomes depleted, further slowing the process of recovery.
Sufferers Search for Help
Sufferers typically seek help from their doctors who run tests for other ailments. The test results are negative but the symptoms persist. Sufferers often try alternative approaches. Sometimes these give temporary relief, but once again the symptoms return. People can easily lose trust in their body and energy levels. This further entrenches the stress - symptom - stress pattern.
Stress response over the long-term
The stress response is wearing on the system when experienced over the long-term. The chemistry produced to help us out of danger becomes toxic. The immune system is depleted and most other systems in the body are disrupted. Prolonged stimulation causes depletion of adrenalin levels. More fatigue and physical symptoms follow as a result of this dysregulation of stress chemistry.
Can it be all in the mind?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a physical and debilitating illness affecting most bodily systems. It is certainly not all in the mind. However, the type of approaches to recovery that are purely physical, or that focus on specific symptoms are unlikely to work. What’s needed is a recognition that the triggers to these physiological responses take place in the mind. Until we address these patterns, a full and lasting recovery is not likely.
How can these cycles be broken?
Given the right tools it is possible to break free of these cycles relatively quickly. Recovery time, fortunately, is not relative to the duration of the illness. What’s needed is an insight into the damaging unconscious cycles, along with an understanding of the mind - body connection. New physical and cognitive strategies can then be introduced in order to influence the health in a positive way.
You are not broken!
Sufferers of fatigue related conditions can typically feel broken or flawed in some way. Although the physical symptoms can be so severe that it feels as if this is so, this is not the case. Human health is incredibly buoyant, it is just necessary to discover what is in the way. Once we can bring balance to the system, we can create the opportunity for energy to return and physical symptoms to naturally resolve.
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